Ladies and Gentlemen of Council 21,

Last week, the MEC meeting with all of the current 21 Local Council Presidents attending, took place in Chicago.  This meeting was the first and only time that 21 Presidents would meet, as after the upcoming election cycle, there will be 16 Local Council Presidents.

During open discussion as an MEC, the United Master Executive Council has given direction to the United MEC President to engage management in a discussion about having the Cabin Jumpseat on all aircraft awarded in seniority order as negotiated during recent contract talks.  In specific, to award the Cabin Jumpseat by company seniority or bidding seniority, whichever is earlier. This request for a change is in direct response to membership requests that this be implemented sooner rather than later.

In addition, the meeting also included an update from the Joint Implementation Team (JIT) about ongoing implementation of the 2016-2021 Contract representing all 24,000 Members.  The business of our Union and issues that are important to you were addressed during the meeting and the Summaries for each day of this meeting will be posted on the United MEC website and will be available to the entire Membership soon.

As always, we have a Volunteer from the Reserve Committee and either an Officer or Volunteer available 24/7.  Please call us @ 703 260 0051, and follow the prompts: After Hours - Press 1 for Reserve, 2 for immediate issues, 3 to leave a message (calls returned next business day).

 

 In Solidarity & with Respect,

Todd Failla

Local Executive Council President

AFA-CWA DCA, Council 21

AFL-CIO

 

Galley Pay Information:

 

Questions about Effective Date of New Hourly Rates of Pay:

Our recent communication to the joint Membership regarding the effective date of the recently negotiated rates of pay is generating a number of questions.  These questions have made it clear to us not everyone shares an understanding of the differences in the way Flight Attendants are paid between pre-merger subsidiaries. 

Beyond the pay issue, this situation demonstrates that as we move forward as one group of Flight Attendants, there may be, for a time, differences based on the Contract that might need to be explained.  This is one such example. 

Pre-merger United Flight Attendants who have worked a full schedule receive two paychecks each month – the 1^st and 16^th (or the business day immediately preceding the 1^st or 16^th – with the exception of New Year’s Day where, for W2 reporting purposes, we receive pay on the first business day following the holiday.)  The following is a description of what is included in each of these paychecks for pre-merger United Flight Attendants:

First of the month paycheck	16thof the month paycheck
70% of our base pay, paid as an advance on our prior month earnings – 70% of 71 hours = 49:42 hours*. *This pay can be gradually reduced if by the 20thof the previous month the DFAP total or GUAR is less than 50 hours or 30 hours.	Pay above 70% due Per Diem Expenses Any adjustments from previous month

Pre-merger Continental (CAL) Flight Attendants are also paid on the 1^st and 16^th of each month  (The amount included in that pay will vary if on jobshare.) However, what is contained in each of those pay checks differs as follows:

First of the month paycheck

16thof the month paycheck

40 hours of pay at the applicable hourly rate of pay provided she/he was on duty the previous two (2) weeks or due to receive credited time for such two (2) weeks.

An amount equal to the value of 25 hours (if the Flight Attendant was on active duty or due to receive credited time for the previous two weeks – also paid as an advance. Pay earned in excess of 65 hours for the previous month Other claims for pay submitted for the prior month if submitted by the 1stday of the current month All travel expenses & per diem due for the previous month. Any adjustments reducing pay from the previous month.

Because pre-merger CAL Flight Attendants are paid an advance of 25 hours of their September pay on the 16^th of September, these Flight Attendants are seeing the Contractual pay increases in this advance check.  However, all Flight Attendants are being paid the increased rates of pay effective for the September schedule  month. There is a difference in the schedule of these payments for the time being.  Eventually, we will all be paid under a model where we receive 70% of our base pay on the first of the month.  It will take some time to implement the process by which pre-merger CAL Flight Attendants will be converted to this system.

 

Changes to MEC Communications:

On September 16, you received our first combined communication from the MEC Communication Committee. As we explained last week, communications will now be coming from one combined source. An image of your contract will be placed next to any information that pertains to the Flight Attendants working under that contract.  CAL is the green contract, CMI is the purple, and United is the beige contract. 

 

Safety First - Compliance with FARs:

Everyday as aviation’s First Responders, it is important that we practice safety and security procedures. It’s critical that we enforce FAR’s that require specific actions on our part such as FAR 121.391(d), which states that during taxi, Flights Attendants must remain at their jumpseats "with safety belts and shoulder harnesses fastened during taxi unless performing safety-related duties."  This FAR is addressed in our eFAOM.  To avoid a non-compliance situation, once the safety demo is finished, complete the required cabin check, take your assigned jumpseat and fasten your seat belt. 

During the flight each of us is charged with making a visual inspection to ensure every passenger’s seat belt is fastened, every time the seat belt sign is illuminated, except during turbulence that requires Flight Attendants to be seated.  In this event, Flight Attendants should use the PA to reinforce the illumination of the fasten seat belt sign, and advise passengers to remain seated with their seat belts fastened.

The responsibility for checking hundreds of seat belts should be shared among the entire crew to expedite and lighten the amount of work involved. If a passenger is out of her/his seat when the seat belt sign is on, we do have a responsibility to ensure that we remind them that the seat belt sign is illuminated.  While checking for compliance with seat belts, make sure that child restraints are also FAA approved and check the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) chapter of your eFAOM under Child Restraint Systems for more specific information. 

At the end of both terminating and through flights, FARs require that all Flight Attendants remain on board until passenger deplaning is complete, including passengers requiring a wheelchair or other special handling needs.  The only exception to this is if there are more than the FAA minimum crew and those above minimum must leave to work an outbound flight.  This regulation is detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) chapter of your eFAOM under Minimum Crew Requirements. 

[Pre-merger United] In the event that you are not in compliance with a FAR, every crewmember involved should file a NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) report detailing the circumstances that led to the violation.  You can find the link to the ASRS reports Safety section here. We ask that you please provide us with copies of any reports that you submitted to ASRS by dropping those in your Local Council mailbox in the domicile.

 

Are You Registered to Vote? Are You Sure?

 National Voter Registration Day is Tuesday, Sept. 27, and it's a great time to make sure you're all set to go to the polls.

If you aren't sure you're registered to vote at your current address, click here to check. If you are not registered to vote, click here to register now. 

We know that many of you will be working away from home and your polling location on Election Day. To ensure your voice is heard, please plan to vote early or by absentee ballot. For more information on Flight Attendant friendly voting options visit afacwa.org/vote.

First Presidential Debate:

The first presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will be held Monday, September 26, 2016, at Hofstra University in New York at 9 p.m. ET.

It will air live on many broadcast and cable networks, including ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, PBS, C-SPAN, CNN, Fox News and MSNBC. It will also be streamed live on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

 Go PINK and Wear PINK in October!